REFUSAL to sell maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) will lead to exclusion from the 2025-2026 Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), Minister of Agriculture Reuben Mtolo has cautioned farmers.
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Addressing Parliament yesterday, Mtolo announced a mandatory requirement for all FISP beneficiaries to sell a minimum of ten 50kg bags of maize to the FRA.
Farmers failing to meet this quota by a yet-to-be-announced deadline will be blacklisted and barred from future FISP participation.
The Minister emphasised that the FRA has already commenced its 2025 crop purchasing programme, operating under strict legal mandates focused on grain quality, particularly moisture content.
He reiterated that purchased grain for strategic reserves must not exceed 12.5 percent moisture to ensure longevity and safety, citing the Grain Marketing (Acceptance Standards) Regulations and the Satellite Manual Handbook as guiding documents for a consistent and transparent purchasing process.
Mtolo underscored the critical role of a robust National Strategic Food Reserve in safeguarding the nation’s food security, stabilising market fluctuations, and enabling rapid responses to emergencies.
He stressed the importance of maintaining well-preserved and accessible reserves.
“The Food Reserve Agency plans to purchase an initial quantity of 543,000 metric tonnes of maize at a price of K6,800 per metric tonne (K340 per 50kg bag),” he said.
“This is to allow the private sector to have equal and unfettered participation in buying maize and other products from farmers.”
Mtolo added that the FRA will continuously monitor the market situation and adjust its approach as necessary.
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba July 24, 2025
